Senate passes compensation for deceased FSU player’s family

A bill to compensate the family of a freshman Florida State football player who died after a workout 16 years ago is heading to the desk of Gov. RickScott.

The Florida Senate on Tuesday voted 34-2 for a claims bill (HB 6515) paying $1.8 million to the family of Devaughn Darling. Florida State agreed to settle the case in 2004 after a lawsuit alleging negligence by trainers in Darling’s death. But state law prohibits the university from paying more than $200,000 without legislative authorization.

Darling, who had the sickle-cell trait, died after doing indoor drills during off-season training in February of 2001. The trait can make people vulnerable to illness from exertion.

This is the 13th year that a claim bill for the Darling family had been filed.